I have had a system sitting in my garage now for about 5 months and just have not be able to get the courage to install it. I'm not concerned about the job itself but more of not being able to drive the car while I'm messing around with it. I'm getting serious about starting this job but have a few questions that hopefully someone can help me out with.

I want to keep the factory HU (Yes, I know, but I like the compatibility with the vehicle) and maybe upgrade if I must. I have focal speakers with adapters for the doors, polk for the rear, JL stealthbox, Kenwood Excelon 5ch amp, and PAC AOEM24.

The speaker install is not the issue but the amp and HU is.

1. I have the full AOEM-GM24 but will most likely just use the adapters and not the OEM1. Is this the best way to go?

2. Where do I get the signal for the JL Stealthbox? The HU will only give two channels both Front and Rear? I want to keep the rear speakers. Splice the Rear? Will I still have enough signal?

3. Do you recommend an equalizer? I would like to use the Kenwood KGC-4042A http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entert...zers/KGC-4042A but is it a good idea? The equalizer only has a single input from the HU. It would give me gain on the sub as well and equalizer control and fade. Seems like a great add-on since I don't want to change the HU. The alternative is an Audio Control EQS. Are these suggested or needed?

After the equalizer I would then go to the Excelon 5ch amp the has Front, Rear, and Sub inputs.

Thanks for your help.

 

1 - the wires are all you really need, as long as they're hooked up properly and you have the RCA's. Look at C6 audio faq for link on how to make the Add-GM24

2 - if you don't get the EQ, buy RCA Y-splitter (x2) and use it on front output signal to have it supply both front and sub inputs

3 - not really needed, but would give you much more control than stock adjustments. A digital sound processor would be even better. However, where would you mount it?

re the install, you can do a lot of it before actually taking the dash apart, so it can be split over a few days. Mount the amp, sub, power wires, put speakers on plates.... Then on day 2 take apart the dash, make a few connections, swap speakers, and fire it up

 

What type of digital sound processor would you recommend? Do you have any personal experience with it? I've looked at the idea of those but I really don't understand them completely.
thanks for the info.

 

2. when using the Add-GM24 you will get four channels: front left, front right, rear left and rear right. if you intend to run rear speakers (not necessary) powered by an aftermarket amp then you can use a y-adapter and split the signal on the rear channels. again, good well-powered front speakers are all that is needed.

regarding stock head unit, i updated my speakers and added an aftermarket amp but am still using the stock head unit. one major problem that i had was a high pitched squeal coming out of the speakers when the head unit was hooked up. the solution (thanks pentavolvo) was to ground the negative side of the rca's to the chassis of the head unit. very easy and cheap with some speaker wire. i still have a high pitch sound that is perceptible to me (but not my wife) when the volume is all the way down, but i only get it when the factory antenna is plugged into the head unit. next time i tear open the dash i will install an antenna isolator to try to eliminate it.

if you are on the fence about tearing your car open then jump off and get started. the quicker you finish your install the sooner you can enjoy your car with a new system. the project took me a lot longer than expected, so plan accordingly. ultimately be happy with the results.

you should consider using sound deadener in the car's doors and using a plate to close up the large access hole.